E-NEWS - 2009

Time to Lift Ban on Counseling for Prisoner Rape Survivors

September 16, 2009 -

Rape is devastating - no matter where the assault occurs. It is also a crime - regardless of whether the victim is detained or lives in the community. Survivors of such crimes need and deserve support services, such as crisis counseling. Unfortunately, in the U.S. today, countless prisoners who are sexually assaulted while incarcerated are excluded from these life-saving services. Why? A federal funding restriction prohibits the use of Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) money to assist rape survivors who are locked up.

Just Detention International (JDI) believes that this VOCA funding restriction must be lifted as a matter of urgency.

No one deserves to be raped. Instead of limiting services, the government should encourage community-based organizations, such a rape crisis centers, to support anyone who has been sexually assaulted, including people in detention.